Norliyana craves for success
DESPITE not being able to contribute any medal for the country in the heptathlon at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games, Norliyana Kamaruddin managed to create history for herself.
The 26-year-old broke the 36year-old national record held by Datuk Zaiton Othman.
For Norliyana, she is thankful for the experience and exposure she gained from competing in the KL Sea Games.
She admitted she did not expect to break the long standing national record at the Games.
Even though there were no expectations on her, Norliyana gave it her all and excelled in the high jump event where she came out tops.
“I began my foray into athletics in the high jump. Then my coach asked me to switch to heptathlon and I began seriously at it about four years ago.
“I have no regrets and neither have I given up this sport, as I hope to go even further and hopefully build on my performance for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games,” she said.
When asked what her weaknesses were and where she needed to improve, Norliyana replied: “Running event, in terms of speed.”
The last time Malaysia won the gold in heptathlon was at the 1981 Manila SEA Games through Zaiton who set the previous national record by scoring 5,175 points.
At KL2017, Thailand’s Sunisa Khotseemueans won gold with 5,430 points followed by Indonesia’s Emilia Nova with 5,386 points while defending champion Wassana Winatho from Thailand took bronze with 5,288 points. Norliyana finished fourth, setting a new national record with 5,247 points. Aida Adilah Mat